I-75 Tifton, GA M/M 63B - Campground

[truk4u]

For a great site funded by the State of Georgia, stop at the Agrirama State Park, just 1/4 mile off I-75, all paved, no trees, wide open spaces, 24 hr secure access, parking lot type sites and any length rig. The best part is 20.00 per night, full hook up with 50 amp and free admittance to the museums.

1883

1884

[lewpopp]

Non of us can afford that 20 bucks. BUT YOU CAN, YOU'VE BEEN FREE LOADING THE PAST 3 NIGHTS.

[Joe Cannarozzi]

I know, even with our 20+ year old rivet bucket and inferior systems and components, that I think we can get through an overnight without needing gen. or shore power.

I can not imagine giving someone, much less bureaucrats, anything to overnight on a sea of asphault.

Mabye I'm not thinking clearly but isin't that why we have many of these gizmos on board?

[merle&louise]

Thanks for the post Trukman, I put it in my GPS. Looks like a great place to overnight in safety with the added bonus of 50 amps, water & sewer!:D

All for just $20 bucks!

I wonder if there would be any demand for a string of these overnight RV parks offering similar amenities for about $20/night? If they were spaced about 350 miles apart along major interstates, perhaps RVers would support a chain of these parks - offering safe overnight parking w/50 amps, water & sewer?

Opinions?

[garyde]

I am all in when it comes to reliable and inexpensive RV sites. The big problem is these state run sites undercut the small RV Campgrounds and they keep going out of buisness and selling their property to land developers.
A sterile Parking lot is not my idea of a RV Park.
I believe goverment should stay out of this buisness and give more incentives to Private buisness to come in and fill the need. Additionally, you just would not believe how many agencies in California pick the pockets of RV parks. It's a wonder any survive.

[Joe Cannarozzi]

I couldn't think of a better way for the gov. to spend the taxpayers money than providing 20 dollar camp sights with power for folks with time and money and the ability to draw that much in power alone, in an overnight visit.

Water too, How's that drought been lately?

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Since we were suppliers to the industry we have seen and heard how private RV park and campground owners feel about not only the issue of government entities competing with the private sector, but how they feel with six figure rigs parking in Wal-Mart, a particularly sore spot as well.

I have always been of the opinion that there are destination RV parks and those for transients. What I as an RV owner would like to see is a safe spot to park for the night when I am traveling. Right now my options are rest areas, Wal-Mart, or campgrounds very close to the interstate that I am on. I would use the campground every single time except most are not right on the interstate and after a long day of driving I do not want to travel 2 or 3 miles down a small road in the dark. When I am done driving I want to roll to a stop and shut down.

Unfortunately, even if the campground is right at the exit I have to sign in, get the speech, be presented with site maps, plastic garbage bags, and the rest room combination. There must be a way for someone to consider my overnight stay to be parking, and just take my money.

We have seen some movement towards secure parking for RVs. Our first experience was a long time ago at a Best Western that advertised overnight parking for RVs. It was at the exit, it was well lighted, and you drove in, parked, and gave the clerk $5.00. That was the extent of it. No muss, no fuss and a safe place on private property. Apparently we were not the only ones that liked the idea because when we left the next morning there were many others, including truckers in the area.

Just like there is a big rig book, there needs to be a book listing parking. Turning the engine off and going to bed doesn't constitute camping in my opinion. So why do we need all the registration, guidance to the site, etc? I wish hotels and other private enterprises with some limited public access would provide overnight parking that would be listed in a book.

[rfoster]

Government should stay out of the camping business as well as all business. Their job is to keep the peace and defend the shores. Thats it. Let the government get involved they will screw it up for sure. Let private enterprise take care of filling a need in the market place. Thats my 2 cents.

[phorner]

Jon, I completely agree. When we're in "travel mode", all I want at the end of the days travel is a safe, easy-access, pull through spot.

The last thing I want to do is negotiate around a bunch of trees and other RV's, risk damage to the bus, and end up having to disconnect the car anyway because the turns are impossible.

Motel parking lots, at interstate interchanges, would be most welcome.

In fact, ANY good sized parking lot would be fine with me. When simply looking for a place to sleep for the night, I don't need their hook-ups, pool, miniature golf, showers, etc. I would gladly pay for a safe, simple, easy place to park.

Thanks for the info, Truk..... have a safe and uneventful trip!

[truk4u]

Geez, how could a good thing be viewed as negative!

Joe - We have no dump facility anywhere near our home since we live in the boonies. We try to spend the last night out close to home to dump the tanks, rinse the tanks and take on some water. It's cold here, so the heat pumps working are a better option overnight than the generator and webasco.

Gary - This facility was not designed to compete with the campgrounds, it's a huge Agriculture Display, old tractors and equipment, Museum and the small camping area was put in place to attract RV'ers traveling on I-75 to and from Florida. In my opinion the State of Georgia gets a kudos for supporting the facility. It's not state run, but has some state funding. And for the record, I'm as anti government as you can get, but I doubt there are many RV'ers complaining while passing through GA dumping their tanks in the state provided dump stations in the rest areas.

Jon - Try this place, there is no guiding, no trash bags, no maps of the parking lot, etc. You pull in, hook up and go pay the 20 bucks whether it's 4:00 pm or 4:00 am and is secure all night.

My reason for this post was to inform people of a simple no hassle overnight spot even if your pulling a 24' stacker with no obstacles and being 1/4 mile off the interstate and it's in the Big Rig Book.

I support the campground owners and never stay in truckstops or Wal-Marts. With the price of fuel what it is today and travel being down, it's a wonder the campground owners survive with the freebee crowd setting up their grills in the Wal-Mart parking lots.

[dalej]

Non of us can afford that 20 bucks. BUT YOU CAN, YOU'VE BEEN FREE LOADING THE PAST 3 NIGHTS.

Lew, can you let us all know where this spot is, I want to stay at that place!:)

[Jerry Winchester]

I'm with the Trukman on this one and as much as I don't want the government in anything to do with commerce, I might make an exception on this one. I don't view transient parking as an RV park issue and I don't mind dry camping a night or two especially when I know I am going to be some place where I can dump and fill the water tank shortly. But having hook ups at a fair ground or exposition center that can only utilize them during certain times and then let others use them in the off season is pretty reasonable in my book.

I know several rest areas on Interstate highways (state / federal funded) that have places to dump tanks and fill with water, so do you draw the line here? I know RV parks that charge upwards of $10 to dump and I don't necessarily think that is fair either. But having a good place to dump without all that crap ending up in someone's ditch makes better sense than having someone go 5 miles off the road, negotiate the trees and obsticles to dump.

Payne County Oklahoma has a similar set up at their fairgrounds with a box for payment and a nifty agricultural machinery museum as well.

[merle&louise]

Truk,

You mentioned that you pay the $20 at 4 PM or 4 AM. Who do you pay at 4 AM? Is there someone on duty 24 hours a day?

There is a little municipal RV park off of I-44 in Wichita Falls, TX that has 30 amp service and water with a dump station. It is $10/night, and it is on the honor system. They have a lock box with envelopes, and you fill out the envelope and put in $10 cash and drop it in the box. No attendant on duty.
The next morning someone comes around and empties the lock box.

Is this a similar set-up?

[JIM KELLER]

Tom, thanks for this Thread. Karen and I pass that lot twice every month on our way to N.C. and back. I always wondered about it and noticed it is usually not busy. As others have mentioned we also like a "get in and out" when traveling as opposed to campground tours. We also prefer an electrical hook up whenever possible. At $20.00 per night I would almost feel guilty for not paying enough ! If you think about it I think our Generators use .6 to .8 gallons per hour. Pull in at 6:00 and out at 6:00 is 12 hours. 12 hours at .7 is 8.4 gallons of diesel fuel @ $3.45 equals $28.98 plus hours of wear and tear on the Generator. Of course this probably wasn't the case when diesel fuel was $1.95 per gallon.

[Joe Cannarozzi]

Cracker Barrel.

It doesn't get any simpler, or quieter.

[dalej]

And another thing....Wal-Mart is by far the most expensive of all the Rv parks, it cost us at least $100 everytime we pull in! :)

[rfoster]

Dale: Is your bus like mine? Has to haul more home than what it left with originally?

[dalej]

Yes, I really think at the TN rally, we should have a seminar on what woman need to know about packing and keep packing and keep packing a bus. :)

[truk4u]

Tuga,

From 5:00 pm to 8:00 am there is a little night office that handles the 20 bucks and provides security. The museum was great, you get a real appreciation to just how hard life was back in the old days trying to survive as a farmer.

[Joe Cannarozzi]

Dale

Does the Lucie and Desi movie "The big trailer" come to mind:D

Yes, campgrounds are definitely less expensive than wall-mart.

We really do like the Cracker Barrel for overnights.

[MangoMike]

I've been traveling back and forth to Michigan to visit Mangoette #1 at college. Since the Ohio turnpike has reworked it's rest areas they have added an RV lot. It's away from the trucks, quiet and provide electricity for $15 a night on the honor system. Water and dump available.

It's a great site and I'm appreciative of the fact it's available as we usually pull in about 1:00am - way too late to deal with a campground.

I usually put Lew's business card in the honor slot.

Mike

[garyde]

Hi Tom. Nothing wrong with that place at all. The small parks are going away however because they are not keeping up with todays demands. Big Buisness and Government are squeezing them out. Just a shame.

[win42]

Security and vandalism is high on our priority list for a safe good nights sleep. Unfortunately California has big problems at their roadside rest stops including homicides. I think a little seminar on overnight security in our coaches is in order at a future rally. I am very happy no one in the group has any horror stories to tell on this subject and would like it to remain that way.

[Jon Wehrenberg]

We see the small parks going away because of the failure to upgrade to accomodate bigger rigs, and 50 amp service.

For some, they just do not have the room to handle the larger rigs of today. It wasn't that long ago that the Winnebagos were 20 or 24 feet long and got along nicely on 30 amps. Nobody towed because the RV wasn't much longer than a pickup truck.

The times, they are changin.

[Jerry Winchester]

New Coach Security Guy

1888

[garyde]

Ah Ha. I knew Jdub reminded me of someone. Luke..feel the FORCE

[Jamie Bradford]

Thanks for the lead on this place Tom!!!

A day away from home heading south it is PERFECT for the night.

Wi-FI - power - dump - secure--and only $ 20 :)

We will certainly be using this place often.


Jamie:cool:

[rahangman]

We stayed in a Park along I65 last December that closely resembles the Georgia location. Alongside Interstate, easy in/out full service etc.. My ideas are similar to Jon's, we stay in a campground with all the amenities in Colorado and that satisfies us, but when traveling, in/out , sleep/eat and thats it. I've often thought that it is just a matter of time before we see outside "Kiosks" at Walmarts offering water/dump facility for a swipe of the old plastic card as well as a separate arrangement for Elec hookup. Of course this brings about a lot of room for thought (and diatribe).

[merle&louise]

I often wondered if building a chain of " no frills " RV parks would be a good investment. I considered starting in Jacksonville, FL on I-10 and building a park every 400 miles all the way to Los Angeles. $20/night for 50 amp, water, wifi, and a central dump site. Maybe an out of business shopping center could be leased so site work would be minimal.

What do you guys think?:cool:

[Neal&Carla]

Hey guys--I will pass the Wal-Mart idea on to our son--who works at the home office. They are always trying to improve their bottom line!!! HA! We use Wal-Mart on the stop, let the dogs out and sleep mode. We always felt the security issue was addressed there with patrolling and cameras. We are not trying to put the park owners out of business, but don't want to mess with all that goes with it for just a night.

While you are making suggestions for parks, do you have any for Carmel and the Napa Valley? We would like to head that direction in June. I can't tell from the books which ones are really suited for the big rigs. Some look and sound questionable.

Thank you for your input.
Carla

[jelmore]

I often wondered if building a chain of " no frills " RV parks would be a good investment. I considered starting in Jacksonville, FL on I-10 and building a park every 400 miles all the way to Los Angeles. $20/night for 50 amp, water, wifi, and a central dump site. Maybe an out of business shopping center could be leased so site work would be minimal.

What do you guys think?:cool:

Tuga, I can't tell you how many times we've thought that thought. We would do without the wifi (Sprint or Verizon takes care of that) and putting a single water source in would probably do since we all can get by at least one night on a tank of water. Thought even just a lot with a credit card 24-hour access to a locked gate would be nice and relatively secure. Of course, we'd miss out on the food next to the Walmarts. Wonder what it would cost to put in 10 50-amp pedestals with a credit card reader.

[merle&louise]

Jim,

Jon should be able to give you a guesstimate on what the power pedestal would be (my guess would be $400 each). I think you have to have a campground host to collect the money. You would need someone on site during certain hours of the day or night. CC devices give trouble and so do the electric gates; I would have someone on duty, at least during the day up until 8 PM.

[Jon Wehrenberg]

The power outlet is the cheap part. First we have to understand the premise.

There are destination campgrounds, and there are campgrounds for transients. What Tuga is talking about is a transient campground. Further definition is also required. We know transient campgrounds currently are campgrounds almost right off the highway we are traveling, Walmart, or rest areas. There is a lesser known option and that is at hotels that have a parking area for large rigs and which will charge $5 just to park overnight.

I assume all RV drivers are like me. I prefer a campground because I like being on private property and enjoy the security that offers as opposed to Walmart or a rest area. While Walmarts may have some form of security that doesn't stop the locals who were drinking at the local watering hole up the road from circling the coach and raising hell in the middle of the night. In rest areas you just take your chances.

The reason why I will overnight in a rest area or Walmart is not the price. It is because at the end of the day I want to drive to a parking spot, level the coach and go sit in the living room and relax. I don't want to spend 15 minutes checking in filling out the paperwork in a campground and I sure do not want to hear about the combination to the showers and where the laundry is located.

If a national chain, whether it is a hotel operator, Walmart, Flying J or just some new franchise ever opens up a secure RV overnight parking area close to the interstate exit I will use it. Especially if all I have to do is swipe my credit card. If it has power outlets that is even better. For someone to provide power outlets and maybe a central water supply and dump station they need to get into some serious infrastructure, and may end up with being obligated to register guests requiring the 15 minute check in. If they are charging me to park I doubt if that would be required.

Power outlets, 20/30/50 post mounted were about $85 and pedestals (that extend into the ground) were more but I don't remember prices anymore. Well under $200 however.

[jelmore]

We find great freedom in NOT hooking up. It's great not being tethered to a sewer hose and water. Having electricity would certainly be worth the cost to avoid the generator and the effort of energy management.

In Tulsa, we stay at the fairgrounds. Not much more than a parking lot with full services. I find it refreshing. Our environment is inside the bus or out on the town, both much nicer than almost every rv park. It's not camping.

I didn't know hotels welcomed us for $5. Anyone specifically, or specifically not?

[garyde]

The price of the power pedestal is the least expensive part. The trenching, conduit, wire, panels, metering, utility service all far exceed the price of a pedestal. Plans and permits extra.
On the one hand, I enjoy private Parks because many of them are unique.
Traveling long days, I check in after the office is sometimes closed,so no problem with office staff. Price is the issue, so it all depends on how many days you are on the road. Some days rest stops, truck stops, Casino's, and some days Rv parks. Oh yea, some days , friends and relatives.

[Joe Cannarozzi]

What about the PROPERTY TAXES and LIABILITY:D How would accidents and crime be dealt with with no one home per say?

That is why I do not agree when uncle sam starts getting in the overnight camping business. Just the advantage of no property taxes alone is huge, and unfair. How about the free security service they get by virtue of the depart. of whatever. How ya gonna compete with that. IMHO just plain wrong.

I will gladly choke up the extra 15 bucks and use the REAL GUY, for better or worse. Cracker Barrel for a nap or a quick overnight is usually very nice. Food ain't bad either. They aren't out west are they.

There is an idea a chain of restaurants with a theme, out west, that invite campers to overnight for free like Cracker Barrel does. Add Wall Mart and you have 2 very successful companies that have figured out and make that formula very profitable!

[Jon Wehrenberg]

For a time, and possibly the situation still continues we found a farily large number of Best Western Hotels had parking areas for guests that drove trucks. They advertised truck parking. So we found even if we were not a guest we could park there and all they wanted was $5. No hookups, but we were on private property, not subject to most of the problems associated with sitting out in the open in a Walmart parking lot or in a rest area.

Since then we have seen hotels with modest size RV parks right on the adjoining parcel. As a company we sold all the electric pedestals, picnic talbes and grilles to a Best Western operator in upper Michigan for about 200 sites for an RV park adjacent to the hotel. That was a vacation area and it would be a destination campground.

Joe, not sure where you are headed with your comments, but if you park anywhere someone owns the dirt under your wheels. I suspect however if you park in a rest area you are responsible for your own safety. That is publicly owned property. You may successfully sue Walmart or Cracker Barrel if something happens while you are trespassing on their property, but my guess is if that happens the corporation will stop all overnight parking so they no longer have to deal with potential lawsuits.